A man (35) and woman (44) who allegedly attempted to steal equipment worth R160 000 from a dialysis centre in Trichardt, Mpumalanga were released on R3 000 bail.

The duo appeared before Magistrate Faith Kekana in the Secunda Magistrate’s Court yesterday where they face charges of theft, corruption and contravention of the Medicine and Related Substances Act.

Their arrest follows police acting on information that the suspects allegedly approached an employee of Braun Dialysis Centre to help them steal dialysis equipment. In return, they offered to pay R5 000.

A team of Hawks members in Secunda and a local security company, arrested the two suspects on May 22 shortly after the transaction was finalised.

Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Thandi Tshabalala said “The suspects were immediately intercepted and found in possession of medical dialysis equipment,” said Tshabalala.

The equipment was confiscated, including the red VW Polo and R5 000.

The accused were released on bail under the condition that they do not contact any of the witnesses.

They are due back in court on July 30.